Council postpones Congress Square vote

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- After more than three hours of public comment, the city council voted to postpone its vote on the sale on Congress Square Park.

The city is considering selling the majority of Congress Square Park to Rockbridge Capital, an investment firm that wants to build an event center there.

The issue drew an emotional crowd of supporters and opponents who packed council chambers. Supporters of the plan to sell park say it has been blighted for years and the city should take this opportunity to fix it. Opponents of the plan were stronger in numbers. They focused on the value of open public space and not giving into corporate interests.

The council will not take anymore public comment on the issue. They will discuss it before taking a vote at their meeting September 16th.